PA Convention Center ready to shut out two unions

In a move that could further distance the Pennsylvania Convention Center and its unions, leaders at the convention center have unanimously approved a new plan that gives exhibitors greater freedom to build and break down exhibits and modifies other work rules.

Management gave all six unions a deadline of 11:59 p.m. Monday to sign a deal that "removes arcane limitations upon exhibitors' rights," management said in an open letter to the unions.

As of Tuesday morning, four out of six unions signed the deal. Two unions, the Carpenters Local 8 and the Teamsters Local 107, have not. Now management said they are ready to move forward without those two unions.

SMG spokesman Pete Peterson, said management has no plans to try to recruit other unions to take their place. He would not comment on whether the Carpenters and Teamsters would be allowed back after the deadline.

Management says the changes are necessary to bring more conventions and expos to town — many of which have a big economic impact on the city accounting for hotel rooms, restaurants and tourism. In fact, management says it's already lost business because of the two strikes and that competitors in other cities are making the labor issue in Philadelphia known to convention planners so they choose other venues.

"The damage caused by this union's decision to strike is immediate, far reaching and quantifiable by comparison with lost business directly resulting from the previous strike this past summer. We know for a fact that our competitors are notifying potential customers of this strike and reminding them that we have now experienced two strikes within the span of one year," wrote Gregory J. Fox, chairman of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority board of directors, John J. McNichol PCCA president and CEO, and Bob McClintock SMG chief operating officer and senior vice president in the open letter to unions.

Peterson says the newly signed “customer satisfaction agreement” will make the Convention Center more attractive to organizers and run more efficiently.

“It addresses the needs of our customers in terms of having greater freedom and flexibility,” said Peterson.

Carpenters Union Local 8 Business Manager Ed Coryell did not return requests for comment.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal